THE FLATS – Georgia Tech volleyball (21-3, 12-2 ACC) has been ranked No. 8 in the Week 11 AVCA/Taraflex Division I Women’s Volleyball Poll, the organization announced on Monday. This is the highest ranking of the season for the Jackets, following the highest ranked home victory in program history, over then-No. 3 Louisville, on Friday. The No. X ranking is the highest since non-conference play last season (Sept. 12), when the Jackets were ranked No. 7.
The Jackets receive the No. 8 ranking after defeating then-No. 3 Louisville and Notre Dame over the weekend. The Louisville win marked the second Top 10 victory of the season, the first time in program history the White and Gold have secured multiple Top 10 wins in the same season (No. 8 Penn State – August 26). Tech swept Notre Dame on Sunday thanks to its best defensive effort of the season, holding the Irish to just .020 hitting, the lowest of the season.
This most recent poll marks Georgia Tech’s 66th straight appearance in the AVCA Top 25 and the 33rd Top 10 ranking in program history. This is the latest in a list of accomplishments for Coach Michelle Collier, the 2nd winningest coach in program history (193). The Jackets now own six all-time wins over Top 10 opponents, with four coming in the last three seasons (at No. 2 Pitt, 2021 | vs. No. 10 BYU, 2022 | vs. No. 8 Penn State, 2023 | vs. No. 3 Louisville, 2023).
The Yellow Jackets have proven to be one of the best teams in the ACC this season, leading the conference in both digs/set (15.41) and kills/set (13.80). Tech’s 15.41 digs/set is the second highest among Power 5 defenses. That defensive success is spearheaded by the play of senior Paola Pimentel. The two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Week is currently second in the conference, averaging 4.38 dig/set. The Rio de Janeiro native leads the team with 399 digs this season and is on pace to become the first Jacket to achieve 400 digs in a single season since 2019 (Maddie Tippett). She would be just the sixth Jacket in the modern scoring era (since 2008) to reach the milestone. Additionally, senior outside hitter Tamara Otene has recorded 280 digs this season, tied for the third most by a Power 5 hitter and the most among pins in the ACC.
On the offensive side of the ball, Tech leads the conference with 13.8 kills per set this season, spreading the ball around for one of the most balanced attacks in the country. Otene leads the offense by averaging 3.62 kills/set, the fourth highest in…
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